Winter has arrived in full force this year, and we couldn’t be happier! Snow is blanketing the peaks around Lake Tahoe, the village is bright with Christmas lights, and there is a distinct feeling of holiday cheer and excitement in the chilly air. If you’re joining us in Tahoe for the holidays, there are plenty of wonderful activities and fun for the whole family happening over the next two weeks, from ski resorts opening to visits from Santa, sleighrides, and more. Read on for our favorite holiday activities in Tahoe, and be sure to check out our website for all the winter activities available at this time of year.
Caroling, Sleigh Rides, and Santa!
The Village at Palisades Tahoe has a full roster of holidauy events starting December 20th and continuing through their New Years Celebration. Some highlights include: The Great Basin Carolers performing classic Christmas Carols in the Village December 20-24th, winter carriage rides through the Village December 27-31st, and a visit from Santa himself December 23-24th. If you’re in the mood for some holiday cheer, Palisades Tahoe is the place to find it! You can view their full schedule of events for the season on their website.
Photo: Palisades Tahoe
Snowshoe Tours and Night Sky Stargazing
If you’re eager to get out on the snow but away from the crowded slopes, there are a number of snowshoe tours operating in the area. Take a guided tour with Tahoe Adventue Company through the snowy Tahoe forest and learn about the natural history of the area, and then take a peek at some stunning stars through professional telescopes with award winning astronomer Tony Berendsen. They also offer Full Moon Snowshoe Tours – check their website for dates and price. These tours last about 4 hours, all equipment is provided, and are great fun for the whole family! Book your snowshoe adventure today!
Sledding and Tubing
All this new snow isn’t just for skiing – it also means the hills are ripe for sledding and snowtubing! Check out our list of the best sledding spots in our winter activities section, or head over to Palisades Tahoe for some fun after dark with Disco Tubing! Featuring LED lights, lasers, and a live DJ, Disco Tubing is a party on the hill! It’s happening every night from 5-8pm December 26th-31st. Advance tickets required – purchase online for your desired time slot.
Photo: Palisades Tahoe
Shop Local
Still need to cross some last-minute holiday gifts off your list? Tahoe City and Truckee both boast an impressive number of locally-owned businesses, filled with handcrafted art, jewelry, clothing, and more designed in and inspired by the Tahoe mountain community. When you shop locally, nearly 70% of your money spent stays in the community, and you are contributing to the unique mountain town atmosphere we know and love. Check out Alpenglow Sports, Bluestone Jewelry, and Tipsy Gypsy in Tahoe City for all your gifting needs.
Awesome Spots for Apres
After a long day on the slopes, shopping, or sledding, you deserve a delicious libation. Lucky for you, there is no shortage of good food and drinks in Tahoe City; the hardest part is just choosing where to go! A few of our favorite spots after shredding the slopes are: River Ranch – famous for their happy hour specials; The Tahoe Bridgetender – the classic neighborhood bar; Uncorked – for the wine-o; and Pioneer Cocktail Club – for unique and artsistic cocktails. You can also view our full list of dining recommendtions in the Explore Tahoe section of our website. Wherever you end up, cheers to spending the holidays in Tahoe!
We’ve gotten our first few snowfalls in Tahoe, and while the resorts aren’t opening until next month, now is the perfect time to start your winter preparations! From the best exercises to add into your routine, to making sure all your ski gear is ready to rip, read on for our top tips on how to get ready for winter now! Ski season will be here before you know it, so be prepared to get out and enjoy it with these tips.
Lunge and Squat
The best way to get ready for ripping down the slopes? Start incorporating these leg exercises now, so you won’t get the jelly-legs fatigue on day one! Trainers recommend incorporating this leg-blaster series into your routine: squats, alternating lunges, jump lunges, and jump squats. For each exercise, repeat each move 10-20 times, rest for 15 seconds, and then repeat the circuit a total of 6 times. Are you sweating yet?
Wax Your Skis
There’s nothing worse than hitting the fresh slopes with soft edges and slow sticks! Bring your skis or boards in for a tune-up now, before lines get long on the mountain. Ask for a hot wax and edge sharpening, and you’ll be ripping come opening day. If you have an at-home tuning station, take stock of your inventory and get any wax or tools you’ll need now so mid-season adjustments are quick and easy. 
Check Your Pass
Have you double-checked your pass? If you haven’t already, there is limited time remaining to buy most season passes. Many resorts have new or adjusted rules this season regarding the number of passes sold, reservations required for ski days, or advanced lift-ticket purchases. Check out each individual resort for specific updates. If you already have your pass in hand, make sure to keep it somewhere safe until opening day. Maybe now is the time to stash it in your ski jacket so you’ll always know where it is. 
Check Your Gear
Ever pull on your snow pants in the morning only to realize you forgot about that late-season snag and now there’s a hole in your knee? Or go to grab your gloves, but can only find one? Dedicate some time to pull out your ski gear now, go through what you have, if anything needs repairs, or you need to make any wardrobe updates. If you’re in need of gear and advice, check out any of our local Tahoe ski shops, staffed with the most knowledgeable folks who can answer questions about outerwear, gear, and everything in between!
Book Your Winter Rental
Your ski vacation won’t be complete without booking the perfect place to stay! We anticipate this will be another busy ski season in Tahoe, and bookings for popular weeks are already going fast! Check out our website for the latest availability, and if you need any help planning the perfect stay, we are here for you! Just give us a call or contact us through social media for anything you might need! 